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Palani Murugan Temple

Palani Murugan Temple

pilgrimage site · Tamil Nadu

Palani's Dhandayuthapani Swamy — Murugan as the renunciate boy with staff and loincloth — watches from his hill shrine over one of Tamil Nadu's greatest pilgrimages.

State
Tamil Nadu
Type
Pilgrimage Site

Palani's Dhandayuthapani Swamy — Murugan as the renunciate boy with staff and loincloth — watches from his hill shrine over one of Tamil Nadu's greatest pilgrimages. This is where the child god, losing the contest for the fruit of wisdom, stormed off declaring 'You yourself are the fruit' (Pazham Nee), and where the idol, by tradition, was shaped by siddha Bogar from nine poisonous minerals. Pilgrims climb the 690 steps, ride the winch trains, or carry kavadis in their lakhs at Thaipusam.

When to go

October to March; Thaipusam

Why visit

Murugan's hill of renunciation — kavadi processions, 690 steps and the panchamirtham prasadam.

How to reach

Palani town is 65 km from Dindigul and 110 km from Madurai, with its own railway station; the hill has steps, a winch railway and a ropeway.

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